Out-of-town Red Wings-Penguins series previews and storylines, part 1

The out-of-town media has produced a slate of Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins series previews and stories which is impossible to dissect on an entry-by-entry basis, so here's the beginning of a multiple-entry round-up of the out-of-towners' takes:

ESPN: ESPN's John Buccigross listed ten points of emphasis before predicting a Pittsburgh Penguins series win, and, of their experts Barry Melrose, Matthew Barnaby, and EJ Hradek believe that the Wings will prevail, but Pierre LeBrun, John Buccigross, and Scott Burnside (whose series preview can be read here) do not. They do encourage fans to vote as to which team you believe will prevail.

USA Today: USA Today's Kevin Allen picks the Wings in seven in his series preview, he discusses five similar and different storylines between the two teams, he posted a list of five ways that the Penguins can beat the Red Wings, and he had this to say about the Wings' injuries as of today's practice:

May 29, USA Today: Nicklas Lidstrom looked sharp in practice Friday, suggesting he will be ready for Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He has missed the past two Detroit playoff games because of an undisclosed injury. Pavel Datsyuk also practiced, but he's still a game-time decision. Kris Draper (groin) also practiced.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson (appendectormy) didn't practice, and he now seems questionable for Game 1.

May 29, Fox Sports/What If Sports: Detroit will be celebrating a Stanley Cup victory over Pittsburgh for the second straight season. In 10,000 simulations of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Red Wings and Penguins the defending champs come out on top 53.2% of the time, with the most common occurrence a seven game series. Though Hockeytown USA will cheer the loudest, all hockey fans will win with an entertaining, competitive and dramatic series.

Sportsnet: Sportsnet's Mike Brophy and Mark Spector pick the Wings in their series breakdown, but Jim Kelley picks the Penguins;

May 29, Sportsnet: You think you've heard enough references to 1984 already? In the name of George Orwell it's barely begun, my friend.

Over these next couple of days you will be teleported back a quarter century to the fall of the mighty New York Islanders, who were finally supplanted by an Edmonton Oilers team that had dutifully passed every test the Islanders could submit them to -- including a four-game sweep in the 1983 Stanley Cup Final.

We'll hear the story of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier walking in defeat past that open door to the Islanders dressing room and noticing how beat up the veteran Isles were in victory, compared to how relatively unscathed the Oilers felt in defeat. Over the years that story has been surgically distorted more times than Michael Jackson's face, but it will be told again this week, as if the two Oilers were invited into the opposition's room to count the ice bags.

And should some plugger like Matt Cooke sift one in to decide Game 1 in Pittsburgh's favour, the TV stations will yard out that grainy video of Kevin McClelland famously hitting the net with a shot that won the '84 opener 1-0 on Long Island. It's the biggest goal in Oilers history, some still say, as if that runaway series might have tilted the other way had McClelland not scored when he did.

The comparison between then and now works, if the term "works" is defined only by the obvious statistic: that 1983 and '84 is the previous time the same two teams met in a Stanley Cup Final.

But there is just this one little flaw, a fact that will no doubt be forgotten in the name of a good story. Those Islanders, as great as they were in winning four consecutive Stanley Cups, were on their way out to pasture.

May 29, TSN: TSN analyst Pierre McGuire is quick to dismiss the idea that revenge will provide any kind of motivation for the Penguins.

"I don't think the players even think about that stuff," says McGuire. "You can't do that if you're Pittsburgh. You've got to worry about Henrik Zetterberg, potentially Pavel Datsyuk, Valtteri Filppula and Darren Helm. There are so many other weapons, so if you concern yourself with just Hossa, then you're losing sight of what the real goal is, and the real goal is to win the Cup, not to beat up Hossa."

Clearly it has been a good campaign for both teams in the wake of Hossa's migration. He had a very successful year in Detroit, putting up 71 points in 74 games in the regular season as the team finished with an impressive mark of 51-21-10. The Pens didn't exactly struggle in his absence, wrapping up the year with a record of 45-28-9 on the strength of play by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, among others.

"If you look at the succcess that Pittsburgh has had since Marian left, and if you look at the success that Marian has had since he left, I think it's probably a wash," says McGuire. "It's paid off for both sides."

So it all comes down to who plays best over the next four to seven games. It can't be denied how much is on the line personally for Hossa. By June 12 at the latest, either the heartbroken Penguins will have lost two years in a row to the same team (making Hossa look like a genius as he will have achieved exactly what he set out to do), or Hossa will have the tables turned on him by the Penguins.

When it comes down to it, McGuire says, both teams are probably smart enough to look beyond one man and focus on the bigger picture.

"I think the (Pens') coaches are enlightened enough to say, 'You know what? This isn't about Hossa, this is about Pittsburgh versus Detroit and we want Pittsburgh to win," McGuire explains. "And Detroit is saying, 'Marian, don't worry about the Penguins, you're a Red Wing now.' You lose sight of the goal, you're not going to win."

And TSN posted a series preview:

May 29, TSN: A Reason To Cheer For The Red Wings: No team has repeated as Stanley Cup champions since...well, the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. Virtually every member of the team owns a Stanley Cup ring, the exceptions being off-season acquisitions Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin. Ironically, both played for the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and were on hand to watch the Wings celebrate their Stanley Cup title. If the Wings do end up winning it all again, will the ageless Chris Chelios retire? (Doubtful).

What They Bring To The Table: By this point you know what you are going to get with Detroit. They are a disciplined, well coached, fundamentally sound team that can roll four lines. They sacrifice individual glory for what is best for the team, which speaks to the professionalism of those inside the organization. Thanks to their victory last year, the Wings - more than any other team - know what it takes to win. Their veteran core of Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Holmstrom and Osgood all have multiple Stanley Cup rings. Head coach Mike Babcock has done a fantastic job keeping his team focused this season when there could have been a serious Stanley Cup hangover. The Wings' forwards are as good a group as you will find in the league with no fewer than five 20 goal scorers. That scoring depth was on display in the first round as it was generally the role players who provided the offence against the Blue Jackets. What truly separates Detroit from the pack is their defensive unit. Led by perennial Norris Trophy candidate Nicklas Lidstrom, the Wings blueline is absolutely stacked with a nice mix of puck movers and bangers. They are also battle tested thanks to last year's championship run. Heading into the playoffs it appeared as goaltending was the Wings' one weak link; however Chris Osgood answered his critics by out dueling star rookie Steve Mason in Round 1. There has to be a great deal of personal satisfaction for Osgood who repaid Babcock's loyalty to him. If Ozzie is back to championship form than the Wings are an odds-on bet to repeat.
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A Reason To Cheer For The Penguins: The Penguins were just shy of capturing their third Stanley Cup in franchise history last year and nothing short of finishing the job this spring will be acceptable. Those high hopes are remarkable considering that just a couple of months ago, pundits were wondering if this team would even make the playoffs. With new coach Dan Bylsma at the helm and Evgeni Malkin making his case for the Hart Trophy (finishing first in league scoring and leading all Penguins players in scoring for the second consecutive season), Pittsburgh is back in the contenders' conversation.

What They Bring To The Table: While trade deadline acquisitions Chris Kunitz and veteran winger Bill Guerin don't have the same level of talent that Marian Hossa brought last year, they do add plenty of grit and experience while filling the scoring void on the wing that the club needed most of the season. The Penguins also have solid character players like Pascal Dupuis and Maxime Talbot, who are always ready to provide energy and support for the blueliners. The club had to give up a good offensive defenceman in Ryan Whitney, but have enough depth with the return of power play specialist Sergei Gonchar and the emergence of young Kris Letang. Goaltending is everything in the postseason, and Marc-Andre Fleury should be solid in goal if he builds on last spring's postseason run.

Update 4:35 PM: NHL.com posted a series preview which includes this non-prediction:

May 29, NHL.com: Red Wings will win if... They stick to their system. Detroit is a puck-possession team, and if it can find a way to hang on to the puck -- especially at even-strength -- it will limit Crosby and Malkin's opportunities. The stronger the Wings play 5-on-5, the better off they'll be.

Penguins will win if... They can handle the big stage this time. Several Penguins have admitted to being awed last spring against the Red Wings. By the time the Penguins got comfortable with the high-stakes hockey played in the Final, they were trailing 2-0 in the best-of-7 series -- a hole that proved too big to dig out of. This time around, they believe they are more ready, an assertion that can be supported by the fact that Pittsburgh has won five-straight playoff games and nine of its past 10.

John Kreiser posted a slate of facts and figures, and as we've got a bunch of players who wear high numbers in Detroit...

May 29, NHL.com: 23 -- Appearances in the Stanley Cup Final by the Red Wings, the second-highest total of any team behind Montreal's 33 (as an NHL member). The Wings have won 11, second to Montreal (23 as an NHL member) and Toronto (13). Detroit's 12 losses in the Final are the most by any team.

25 -- Years since we've had a rematch in the Stanley Cup Final. The last time there was a repeat Final was 1984, when the Edmonton Oilers avenged a loss to the New York Islanders the previous spring by ending the Isles' dynasty with a five-game series victory.

28 -- Points through the first three rounds by Pittsburgh centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, tied for the most by any players in this year's playoffs. Crosby and Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg tied for the lead in 2008 with 27.

31 -- Years since a team has beaten another in consecutive Finals. The 1977 and 1978 Montreal Canadiens both won the Cup by beating the Boston Bruins. The 1977 series was a sweep; the 1978 Final took six games.

53 -- Games in this year's playoffs in which the team leading after two periods has won. Detroit is 9-0 and Pittsburgh is 8-0. Teams leading after 40 minutes have lost just three times in 56 games.

55 -- Years since the Final was decided in overtime of a seventh game. Tony Leswick's goal 4:29 into overtime of Game 7 in 1954 gave Detroit a 2-1 win and the Cup. The only other time it happened was 1950, when Pete Babando scored at 28:31 of OT to give the Wings a 4-3 win against the New York Rangers.

397 -- Miles (by car) between Detroit and Pittsburgh. Neither city has moved since last year, when the Red Wings and Penguins were the closest the Stanley Cup finalists since 1980. That's when the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders -- who are just 100 miles apart -- met for the Cup

NHL.com happily played up Oilers-Islanders comparisons, and Dan Rosen spoke to Mark Messier about the Penguins' similarities (Messier eagerly gushed about the Pens, and NHL.com posted this clip of Messier and Gretzky talking up the Pens:

May 29, NHL.com: Games 1 and 2 will be played on back-to-back nights, a scenario that has occured only once previously this postseason.

"I think the players prefer it that way. It's better than drawn out situations," McGuire said. "They will have to reel in their emotions fast, and there's not a lot of time to rehash mistakes."

"I'm looking at Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday," said Olczyk, factoring in Game 3. "That's three games in four days. I'm looking for fatigue and tired legs, especially if one of the first two becomes a long, marathon game."

"I believe it favors the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have had more time off and are less banged up," Milbury said.

Though the regular season series can offer some clues, Emrick points out that the last matchup happened almost four months ago, and since then the Penguins have picked up a new coach -- Dan Bylsma -- and several new players -- Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz and Craig Adams. Those three have won Stanley Cups elsewhere.

"I'd like to just pick something out of the rain and say it, but both teams can have their way in this series," Emrick said while angling for a prediction. "I have no idea if it'll be low-scoring or not. It's almost four months since they last played, and Pittsburgh had had monumental changes in that time. Detroit has had monumental changes for the worst in terms of being healthy. Four of the players in the lineup (in Game 5 against Chicago) were in Grand Rapids not long ago, so it's a marvelous statement for their depth."

"We're all excited to see what they can do in the second go-round," Milbury added. "Pittsburgh continues to grow up. Detroit has depth. It should be fun and the goalies will play a huge part. (Marc-Andre) Fleury looks comfortable and so does (Chris) Osgood."

"The theater will not intimidate Pittsburgh as it did last year when they looked scared and were shut out in Games 1 and 2," McGuire said. "This will be Chris Osgood's I-told-you-so-moment. In Game 5 versus Chicago he was stellar. I think we're going to see unbelievable performances."

Brett Lebda discussed his role with the Red Wings in speaking to NHL.com's Larry Wigge:

May 28, NHL.com: "I know my role here. I'm very much OK with the minutes I get," he added. "The experience of playing with such a gifted group of players and learning how to do it the right way is so rewarding."

Undrafted, Lebda clearly shows the patience and poise it takes to wait his turn.

"You understand how lucky you are to play with such a talented group of players and learn from them, when you watch the others finish their season and are out playing golf or boating or some other leisure activity," he said.

"I thought (Wednesday) especially, different guys stepped up again," Detroit winger Dan Cleary said after eliminating the 'Hawks. "Lebda really played a great game for us. He played a lot of minutes and was in on both goals."

Said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, " 'Lebs' is a real good player. Very reliable. Accountable on defense and he's a guy who can really move the puck."

"I was just like everyone else, playing hockey in the driveway, pretending to lift the Stanley Cup, and then it happens and you can't believe it," Lebda said. "But you don't get there without the whole organization and every teammate and all the people who helped you when you were young."

During the celebration for beating the Blackhawks, Brett was asked if this was his best moment.

"I wouldn't say that," Lebda said, pointing out how playing in the Final against Pittsburgh last year was a dream come true. "Big game for me? Yes. I'm not used to that many minutes, but I wasn't exhausted at the end. I found out that Johnny had gone for tests after practice and coach told me be ready for more minutes. And while I may be breathing a little harder than usual after a game, I can't turn off the big, silly smile I have on my face."

After a cursory note about Marian Hossa, Larry Wigge spoke to Darren Helm...

May 29, NHL.com: "Kris Draper told me to bust my butt every shift like it could be my last," Helm told me before Game 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals Wednesday. "He said, 'Empty your tank on every shift.' "

That philosophy for years has helped make Detroit's hard-checking, physical Grind Line of Draper, Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarthy an impact unit that was so successful during the Red Wings Stanley Cup runs in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Now young legs like Helm's are carrying on the tradition of being accountable defensively and making life miserable for opponents with his physical play.

Helm goes into the Stanley Cup Final against Pittsburgh on Saturday in Detroit coming off his best game as an NHLer, in which he became just the fifth Detroit rookie to score an overtime goal in the playoffs -- and first since Shawn Burr in 1987 -- when he scored 3:58 into sudden death for a 2-1 series-clinching victory against Chicago. But his remarkable performance didn't stop there: he played a playoff-high 16 minutes, 48 seconds and led all players with a whopping 12 hits.
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"Everyone loves to score goals, but I'd just as soon stay under the radar, bang some bodies, do a good job checking and win my second Stanley Cup in two years," Helm said in a rare moment of open banter. Actually ..."

Helm paused for a moment to get his next choice of words perfect before he added, "I looked up at the big screen at Joe Louis Arena the other day and I saw my name on it. It was cool. It showed a bunch of my hits in the playoffs and said, 'Welcome to The Nightmare on Helm Street.' I liked that."

Said coach Mike Babcock, "You know, I think he's the kind of player that the people in Michigan can really relate to. He's a blue-collar guy. He goes out there and works hard each shift. He hits the ice and his feet are going full out. He's energized."

And Paul Kukla deservedly gets the last word:

May 29, NHL.com: Knowing my next three days will be spent covering the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins while they are in Detroit, I decided to get a few errands out of the way.

Going from the barber shop, to the bank, stopping for a quick coffee and even at the gas station, the Wings are the talk of the town.

How's Lidstrom, is he playing? What about Dats (Pavel Datsyuk), what is really wrong with him? How can Jonathan Ericsson recover from his appendectomy surgery so quickly? They wanted answers, but I could only say game-time decision. Although the word is Lidstrom has skated on his own the last two days and he mentioned that he will be playing, I would imagine we will not really know until the pre-game skate on Saturday.

The Wings faithful seem generally concerned about Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Can the Wings defense handle their offensive ability for the whole series is the key in the mind of the fans. If so, they don't believe the Penguins have enough secondary scoring to defeat the Wings in a seven game series.

Never have I heard so much praise for Chris Osgood. While at the coffee shop, an Ozzie, Ozzie chant started along with a Let's Go Red Wings serenade. You see people are pumped up and I have to be truthful, more into the Stanley Cup Final than I witnessed last year.

Maybe the very rough economic condition in Michigan has something to do with it. People need an outlet to find some happiness in their lives and the Wings seem to be providing just that.